The works of the Spirit: Antidote to worry

Fruit of The Spirit by Liyin Yeo

Today’s reading also fits nicely within the sanctification theme that is heard, in faithful congregations such as this one, each year during Laurencetide. In the text are descriptions of those things which are desired by every person’s sinful nature. They are set against the things that are the fruits the Holy Spirit produces in the new nature God gives to the faithful….For more, click on the title above.

Christ is the mediator

Der Barmherzige Sameriter by Paula Modersohn-Becker

As many of you have heard over the past couple of weeks, we are in the part of the long green Trinity season that is given to speak of our sanctification. That is the work God does in and through us because we have been declared, holy on account of being washed in the blood of Jesus. Such ”holification” the Holy Spirit continues to work in us as we, in Christ, continue to fulfill the two great Divine Commandments of loving God and loving our neighbors.
In particular, today’s readings focus us upon living lives of sanctification as we, in Christ, hold fast to the letter and meanings contained in the Second Table of the Law… that which we owe to our neighbors. …For more, click on the title above.

Jesus is the Miracle Worker not a miracle worker

Jesus Christ Healing the Man Who Was Deaf and Dumb, Folio 86 of the Codex Palatinus Vindobonensis 485 (4th or 5th century), Austrian National Library, Vienna.

The reading today starts with a simple description of Jesus’ movements. It’s easy to pay little attention to these types of details. But the journey that Jesus is on needs more attention and is one of three interesting things happening in this short reading.
First, Jesus is making a long journey back to Israelite territory as He is continually moving away from the gathering crowds of people. Second, Jesus is instructing the people to not tell others about these miracles He’s performing. And the third point of interest that might draw the most attention, Jesus sighs or rather He groans, before He performs His healing act…. For more, click on the title above

Paul, the humbled Pharisee

Saint Lawrence Icon by Theophilia

Today, again, in the prayer given to collect our minds and hearts into the truths of the day, we asked God to continue to send His Holy Spirit to us. He, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, is the Divine One Who not only works life and faith in the hearers of God’s Word. He is the one Who, through faithful people hearing God’s Word rightly divided into Law and Gospel, ever works to move them, you, into lives which spring from the Faith and are engaged in good works. …For more, click on the title above.

God continues to grace beautiful gifts to His church

The Holy Trinity by Albrecht Dürer

This is another auspicious day in the life in this part of the Body of Christ called Catalina Lutheran Church. Here, at the 9 a.m. Service, we again rejoice in receiving an additional gift from God. This is given to us accompanied by the beautiful treasures that continue to flow forth for us to receive and return to from His Holy Word: Holy Absolution, Holy Baptism, and the Sacrament of the Altar. What special spiritual gift, one that this congregation has only received five other times in her 42-year history on this hill, do we continue to rejoice in receiving today? …For more, click on the title above.

We children of God remain co-heirs of glory with Christ

2024 Catalina Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School Logo

The theme for this day follows upon this past week’s teaching concerning how God continues to meet His people on this hill. A goodly number of us have heard again from readings that also resound throughout the Church Year, of all that God has done, is doing, and will do for His faithful people. From hearing of God’s chosen people eating and drinking in His Presence in the Old Testament into having the Promise of the blessedness of the coming New Heavens and Earth, we learned that, as God’s children, we who have died and risen to new life in Christ are heirs of God, and most certainly, co-heirs with Christ….For more, click on the title above.